Eleanor stayed hidden behind a tall bookshelf, her fingers gripping the edge as she strained to hear their conversation. Romeo and Venecia sat at their usual spot by the arched window, bathed in the dim glow of the library's lanterns. They spoke in hushed tones, their voices barely above a whisper, but Eleanor caught enough to confirm her suspicions.
"I don't care what anyone says, I'm not leaving you," Romeo murmured, his fingers brushing against Venecia's. "I'd rather fight the whole world than give you up."
Venecia let out a soft sigh, leaning into him. "I just wish we didn't have to sneak around like this. I wish... we could be together openly." "And the mark keeps burning".
Eleanor's eyes widened. So, the rumors were true. The son of the Eryndors and the daughter of the Draekhavens—in love? And what mark are they talking about? This was more than just scandalous; this was dangerous. The rivalry between their families ran deep, and if anyone else found out, there would be chaos.
A slow, wicked smile spread across Eleanor's lips. This was her chance.
She carefully backed away and slipped out of the library, already forming a plan. If she played her cards right, she could expose them and gain favor with the Draekhaven. Maybe even Romeo might be hers.
By the time the next morning dawned, Eleanor had already spread whispers through the school like wildfire. By lunch, the entire academy knew.
And Eleanor? She just sat back and watched as it spread like wildfire.
But she wasn't done yet.
She made sure the news reached the ears of the Draekhavens family.
Jackpot.....
***********
Romeo
And by nightfall, Romeo's parents were waiting for him at home.
"Sit," his father ordered, voice like steel. His mother stood beside him, arms crossed, eyes cold with fury. "We need to talk. Now."
"Is it true?" His father's voice was calm, but that made it even worse.
Romeo clenched his jaw. "Who told you?"
His mother scoffed. "So, it is true."
Romeo stayed silent.
"I remember telling you to stop seeing that girl, didn't I?", his father spat angrily. "And, now I'm hearing news about you two in a relationship. Do you have any idea what you've done? Do you understand what this means for our family? For you?"
"I love her." Romeo's voice was firm, unyielding.
His mother's face twisted in anger. "Love? Love?! You are a Draekhaven, Romeo. This isn't some foolish game." "It's not a game!" Romeo shot back. "I didn't choose to fall for her—it just happened. And I'm not giving her up."
His father's patience snapped. "You will end this. Immediately."
Romeo's chest tightened, but he stood his ground. "No."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
His mother shook her head. "You're throwing your future away for an Eryndor?"
His father's voice dropped to a chilling whisper. "And you're willing to betray your own blood for her?" All because of that stupid mark?"
Romeo's hands curled into fists, his mark burning faintly. He didn't care about the rivalry. He didn't care about the curse.
He only cared about Venecia.
"I'm not betraying anyone," he said. "I'm just choosing my own path."
His father's eyes darkened. "Then you leave us no choice."
Romeo barely had time to react before guards entered the room.
"What the hell is this?!" he shouted, trying to step back.
His father's voice was ice-cold.
"You will be separated."
And just like that, everything shattered.
****************
Venecia
Meanwhile, at the Eryndor house, Venecia had her own battle to face.
Her mother stood rigid in the family's grand estate, staring at her daughter with an expression Venecia had never seen before—fear.
"Your mark," she whispered. "It's... glowing."
Venecia swallowed hard, looking down at her shoulder. The mark that bound her to Romeo burned faintly, reacting to the distress in her heart and to Romeo's feelings. She couldn't help but wonder how he was doing.
Her father stepped forward. "How long has this been going on?"
Venecia didn't answer.
Her mother placed a trembling hand on her chest. "Venecia... something supernatural is happening. This isn't just love. This is something... bigger."
Her father's face hardened. "And it needs to stop."
Venecia's heart plummeted.
And now her own parents
"Give your phone to me and go inside your room, you're grounded", her father ordered
They wouldn't let them be together.
They would tear them apart.
But Venecia wasn't giving up without a fight.
Not now. Not ever.
As she got inside the room, she saw Romeo lying on her bed.
"R... Romeo? what... how are you inside my room? she hurriedly locked her room.
Venecia pressed her back against the locked door, her chest rising and falling in quick, shallow breaths. "How did you even get in here?" she whispered, barely able to process what she was seeing.
Romeo sat up, his eyes searching hers with urgency. "I climbed through the balcony," he admitted. "I had to see you. My parents—they're trying to separate us. They had guards waiting for me." His fists clenched as he exhaled sharply. "I barely got away."
Venecia's heart pounded. "They—what?"
He crossed the room in an instant, his hands gripping her shoulders, eyes burning with desperation.
"They're serious, Venecia. They won't stop until we're apart. And it's not just them—your parents know too, don't they?"
She nodded slowly, her voice barely a whisper. "They took my phone. They... they saw my mark glowing."
Romeo's jaw tightened. "Then we don't have much time."
She looked up at him, fear and defiance warring in her chest. "What are we supposed to do? Run away? That's impossible. There's nowhere we could go where they wouldn't find us."
His grip softened, one hand sliding down to clasp hers. "I don't know yet," he admitted. "But I know one thing—we're not letting them win."
The mark on her shoulder pulsed warmly, responding to his touch, to their shared resolve.
Venecia swallowed hard. "Then we fight."
Romeo's lips curled into a determined smirk. "Together."
A sharp knock on her door made them both freeze.
"Venecia," her mother's voice came through, firm and suspicious. "Who are you talking to?"
Her heart leaped into her throat. Romeo squeezed her hand.
They were out of time.
Liana and Damien—The Escape Plan
Venecia's breath hitched as the knocking grew louder. "Venecia," her mother called again, her tone sharper this time. "Open the door." Romeo grabbed her wrist. "We have to go. Now."
"But how?" she whispered.
Before he could answer, a faint tap came from the balcony. Both their heads snapped toward the open glass doors, where two familiar figures crouched in the shadows.
Liana and Damien.
Liana motioned frantically for them to come over, while Damien muttered under his breath, "Took you long enough to notice us."
Venecia didn't hesitate. She grabbed Romeo's hand and pulled him toward the balcony.
Just as she reached the edge, her bedroom door rattled—her mother was trying to open it.
"Venecia! What's going on in there?"
"Go, go, go!" Liana whispered urgently.
With one last glance at the door, Venecia climbed over the balcony's railing. Romeo followed, landing beside her.
"How did you guys even know—" Venecia started, but Damien cut her off.
"Not the time. Move."
Liana grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the narrow passage behind the house. "We have a place you can stay for the night, but we need to be fast. Your families will be looking for you."
They ran through the garden, their footsteps muffled by the damp earth. The night air was cool against Venecia's skin, but her heart burned with adrenaline.
Damien led them through the back gate, where a black car was already waiting. "Get in."
Romeo hesitated. "Where are we going?"
"A safe house," Liana answered. "No questions, just trust us."
Venecia looked at Romeo. He nodded. They didn't have a choice.
They climbed into the car, and as it sped off into the night, Venecia exhaled deeply.
For now, they were safe.
But for how long?
***********
Before the Escape—The Call for Help
The clock on the church tower struck midnight as Romeo stood in the alley behind a rundown cafe, gripping a burner phone with white-knuckled hands. He took a steadying breath before dialing the only number saved on the device.
Three rings.
Then a click.
"Who is this?" Damien's voice was sharp, cautious.
"It's me," Romeo said, his voice low.
A pause. Then, "Where the hell have you been? Do you know what's going on right now?"
"I don't have time to explain," Romeo hissed, glancing over his shoulder. The streets were quiet, but danger was never far. "I need your help. Tonight."
Damien exhaled. "You're insane."
"Probably," Romeo admitted. "But Venecia's life is on the line. If they find us—"
"They won't," Damien cut in. "Because you're going to tell me exactly what you need."
Romeo hesitated for a split second before pushing forward. "Venecia's house. The east balcony. Get Liana. Be there in thirty minutes."
Another pause. Then, "You trust me that much?"
"I don't have a choice," Romeo said simply.
Damien clicked his tongue. "Alright. But if this backfires, I'm blaming you."
The call ended.
Romeo stared at the darkened screen before smashing the phone under his boot. No loose ends. No trace.
Now, all he had to do was get to Venecia.
And hope like hell that Damien and Liana would be waiting.
*******************
Finally, Romeo's wish came true. What's going to happen next?